Return of the Crowned Heiress

Chapter 232

Felicia blinked in surprise before letting out a soft laugh. "If you don't want me to smile, shouldn't you be covering my mouth instead of my eyes? What's the point of " Before she could finish, Stephan leaned in and kissed her.

Her vision was still obscured, but she felt his warmth and the faint, clean scent he carried as he lightly pressed his lips to hers.

It was brief, fleeting, and when he pulled away, he removed his hand from her eyes, leaving her in stunned silence.

For a moment, Felicia wasn't sure if it had actually happened. If it weren't for the lingering warmth on her lips, she might have thought she had imagined it.

Stephan, ever composed, pulled out a chair beside her and sat down, his expression calm as if nothing had occurred. With a slight wave of his hand, he signaled to the staff waiting nearby.

Felicia ground her teeth in exasperation but chose not to confront him. His sudden, uncharacteristic gesture disrupted her thoughts, effectively pulling her mind away from the events of the evening.

Moments later, a quiet bustle began as staff members entered the rooftop. Some carried trays of fresh ingredients, others brought cooking utensils. A team of chefs and mixologists quickly set up an impromptu kitchen.

The quiet rooftop transformed into a fine dining experience, and within minutes, the enticing aroma of seared steak and foie gras filled the air.

Felicia's jaw almost dropped when she recognized the team of chefs. They belonged to the most exclusive private dining service in Khogend. Their head chef's schedule was so packed that even having the money to hire him didn't guarantee availability. Yet here he was.

The dishes were plated and served with flawless precision. The mixologist placed handcrafted cocktails on the table alongside them. The entire team departed just as silently as they had arrived, leaving only the faint echo of their movements behind.

Felicia took a bite of the steak. It was perfectly cooked, melting in her mouth with rich, savory flavors. "It's amazing," she admitted grudgingly.

finished eating, she stood up, stretched her arms, and was about to say something when a sudden boom echoed

first fireworks explode into a cascade of brilliant

gold, purple, and red as the fireworks reflected off the glass

still,

display wasn't over. As the fireworks began to fade, small glowing lanterns rose from every direction around the rooftop. They floated gently

what surprised her

the

direction

lit up

in.

perfect synchronization, forming intricate patterns

of stars stretching across the horizon. Felicia stood frozen, her eyes locking

face, accentuating his sharp, chiseled features and cool, flawless complexion. Even with the quiet night around them, he carried an undeniable intensity-a kind of distant, unapproachable air

was no longer afraid

Stephan, her expression softer than it had been

eyes deep and unreadable. They held a quiet force that demanded attention. He didn't say a word, but somehow, it felt like

...

was hard at work coordinating the drones. Their

of them barked, sweat trickling down his